Should I correct someone with dementia?

It can be hard deciding if you should correct a person with dementia. People with dementia can sometimes say things that are not quite accurate or that seem made up. This can happen because they may combine bits of information from one event with bits of information from another, which results in something that isn’t quite right/true.

It can be difficult to hear something that you know isn’t right. Sometimes this can also lead to carers feeling like they’re being accused of things they haven’t done, which is hard to deal with.

Although our instinct is often to correct something someone has said, sometimes this can lead to arguments, confusion and distress for the person with dementia.

Ideally, we want to avoid arguments and unnecessary stress for you and for the person you are caring for. When you reflect on whether you should correct someone, it can be worth asking yourself ‘does it matter?’

When it is an issue of safety, it will always need correcting, but sometimes if it’s a slightly confused story or misremembering of facts, it probably doesn’t.

Accepting what has been said can avoid arguments, stress and upset for both you and the person with dementia.